Production of coal from mountaintop removal—the most environmentally destructive type of mining—plunged 62 percent between 2008 and 2014, according to a report released Tuesday by the United States Energy Information Administration.

Surface mining fell 21 percent during that time, and total production declined 15 percent over six years.

“Lower demand for U.S. coal, primarily used to generate electric power, driven by competitive natural gas prices, increasing use of renewable generation, flat electricity demand, and environmental regulations, has contributed to lower U.S. coal production,” the report stated.

As the coal industry struggles, renewable energy investment continues to grow. Worldwide investment in carbon-free solar energy, meanwhile, is expected to soar to $3.7 trillion by 2040 as the cost of photovoltaic technology continues to fall, market research firm Bloomberg New Energy Finance reported in a study released in June.

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